Apparatus for producing patchwork connections



Feb. 24, 1970 H. J- TIMMERBEIL APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PATCHWORK CONNECTIONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 15, 1967 INVENTOR Hans Jodwen TIMMERBEIL his ATTORNEY Feb. 24, 1970 H. J. TIMMERBEIL APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PATCHWORK CONNECTIONS Filed Sept. 15, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Hons Jochen TIMMERBEIL WQM his ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PATCHWORK commcnons Filed Sept. 15, 1967 Feb. 24, 1970 H. J. TIMMERBEIL 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Hons Jochen TIMMERBEIL BY Maw his ATTORNEY H. J. TIMMERBEIL 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 15, 1967 FIGS FIG.8

FIG.6

INVENTOR:

Hons Jochen TIMMERBEIL his ATTORNEY 3,496,967 APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PATCHWORK CONNECTIONS Hans Jochen Timmerbeil, Schwelm, Westphalia, Germany,

assignor to Erich Timmerbeil and Hugo Timmerlieil,

both of Schwelm, Westphalia, Germany Filed Sept. 15, 1967, Ser. No. 668,018 Int. Cl. 1321f 45/00 US. Cl. 140-93.2 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for joining sections of band iron to form patchwork connections comprises a stamping unit whose dies provide the overlapping portions of two band iron sections with pairs of stepped incisions and bend the resulting median and outer webs out of the general planes of the respective sections. Two gripping or interlacing units thereupon engage the non-overlapped portions of the sections and shift the sections lengthwise to interlace the median webs of one section with the outer webs of the other section. An ejecting device is provided to expel the resulting band from the stamping and interlacing units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for joining sections of band iron or the like by providing such sections with patch work connection similar to those disclosed in Patent No. 3,235,924 to Timmerbeil.

The patent to Timmerbeil discloses a patchwork connection which can be employed to join used lengths or sections of band iron substantially end-to-end so that the resulting bands can be used to confine packages of compressible material, i.e., to form bales of cotton, hay or the like. In order to insure that the joint between the overlapping portions of two band iron sections will not fall apart prior to application of such sections around a package and subsequent expansion of confined material, the patent proposes to provide the sections with incisions which produce median webs and outer webs of such dimensions that the median web or webs of one section engage with the outer webs of the other section even before such Webs are finally interlaced or interlocked in response to longitudinal displacement of the sections with reference to each other. Such longitudinal displacement occurs in response to expansion of a package which is to be reinforced or held together by one or more bands consisting of sections joined to each other by patchwork connections.

It was found that the coupling action of median and outer webs is not always suflicient to prevent separation of band iron sections prior to lengthwise movement of such sections with reference to each other. Separation of sections can take place for many reasons, for example, if the sections are bent or subjected to other deforming stresses which expel the median webs of one section from the gaps between the other webs of the other section. Thus, it can happen that the sections become separated during application around a compressed package which can result in undesirable delays and/ or in undue expansion of the package if the patchwork connection is incapable of preventin separation of its components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an important object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which can produce reliable patchwork connections between sections of used band iron or the like so' that such connections remain stable not United States Patent 3,496,967 Patented Feb. 24, 1970 ice only after but even before the resulting band is put to use in baling of packages or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can provide completely interlaced patchwork connections between sections of used band iron or the like so that the interlacing of sections is not dependent upon the pressure developing when the sections which are joined by such connections are put to actual use.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can produce patchwork connections in rapid sequence and which can produce such connections between sections of desired length, of identical or different width and/or identical or different thickness.

An additional object of the invention is to provide the apparatus with a programmed control system which can initiate a series of operations in a fully automatic way to complete the formation of one or more patchwork connections and to expel the resulting bands in order to provide room for the sections of a fresh band.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can be operated by persons having little skill, which can be converted for treatment of different types of materials and/or for the formation of stronger or weaker patchwork connections, and which occupies little room.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide the apparatus with novel interlacing units which complete the patchwork connection and render it sufficiently resistant to withstand rough treatment prior to the application of sections around a package or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can produce patchwork connections of desired strength even if the interlacing between the webs of the interconnected sections is the sole factor that prevents separation of such sections.

Briefly outlined, the novel apparatus is intended to form patchwork connections between used sections of band iron or the like wherein portions of such sections overlap and are provided with laterally spaced and preferably stepped incisions or slits to form median Webs or ribs disposed between outer webs or ribs and wherein the median webs are located in a plane other than the plane of the outer webs so that, by relative displacement of the overlapping portions, the median web of one section is interlaced with the outer webs of the other section. The apparatus comprises stamping means including a pair of dies movable against the overlapping portions of two band iron sections to provide such portions with incisions and to move the resulting median and outer webs into different planes, and interlacing or gripping means for moving at least one of the sections lengthwise with reference to the other section to thereby interlace the median webs of one section with the outer webs of the other section. Such interlacing means may comprise a pair of gripping or clamping units each of which can engage one of the sections and at least one of which has jaws movable away from the other gripping unit to thus increase the length of the band and to interlace the median webs with the outer webs.

The stamping and gripping units are preferably mounted on a table or a like support and are preferably actuated by fluid-operated cylinder and piston units in a predetermined sequence. An ejecting device may be provided on the table to automatically expel a freshly formed band from the stamping and gripping units in order to provide room for fresh sections. The stamping unit can provide the overlapping portions of sections with one, two or more pairs of incisions.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved apparatus itself, however,

both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic front elevational view of an apparatus which embodies the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a gripping unit which is shown in one end position;

FIG. 4 is a section substantially as seen in the direction of arrows from the line IV-1V of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the gripping unit but showing it in another end position;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of a band which is composed of two sections joined to each other by three patchwork connections;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the overlapping portions of two band sections as they appear upon completion of the stamping operation;

FIG. 8 is a section as seen in the direction of arrows from the line VHI-VIII of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of the overlapping portions of two sections which are joined by three finished patchwork connections.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an apparatus 10 which is used to form patchwork connections between sections 11 of band iron or the like. Such sections may be constituted by lengths of band iron scrap which are to be joined substantially end-to-end to form bands long enough for use in baling of packages or the like. The apparatus 10 comprises a stamping unit 13 having a substantially plate-like lower die 14 which is rigid with the lower arm or flange 15 of a U-shaped holder 16. The plate-like upper die 17 is reciprocably supported by the upper arm or flange 18 of the holder 16 and is movable toward and away from the lower die 14 by a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly 19. When moving toward the lower die 14, the upper die 17 cooperates therewith to provide the overlapping end portions of sections 11 with pairs of laterally spaced stepped incisions or slits 25 (FIG. 7) and to move the resulting median ribs or webs 29 from the plane of the outer ribs or webs 30 and/or vice versa.

The holder 16 is pivotable on a horizontal pin or shaft 20 which is shown in FIG. 2. This pin 20 is mounted in a bearing 21 of a table or bench 22 (which forms part of the frame) and is parallel with the longitudinal direction of the sections 11. A locking post 23 serves to fix the holder 16 in a selected angular position with reference to the pivot pin 20. The post 23 extends through a hole of the flange 15 and can be introduced into one of several holes 12 provided in the bearing 21. The centers of holes 12 are located on an arc whose center of curvature is on the axis of the pin 20. In this way, the stamping unit 13 can be moved to a position which is best suited for convenient insertion of band iron sections 11 between the dies 14 and 17.

As stated before, the purpose of the dies 14, 17 is to provide the overlapping end portions of sections 11 with stepped slits or incisions preparatory to interlacing of the sections to provide more or less permanent joints or connections 24 therebetween (see FIGS. 6 and 9) before the thus obtained band 87 is to be applied around a package or the like. The configuration of dies 14, 17 is preferably such that they can provide the overlapping portions of sections 11 with three longitudinally spaced pairs of slits or incisions 25 distributed in a manner as shown in FIG. 6 or 7. The incisions 25 extend generally lengthwise of the sections 11 and each incision comprises a first longitudinally extending straight portion 26, an inclined median straight portion 27, and a second longitudinally extending straight portion 28. The distance between the first portions 26 exceeds the distance between the second portions 28 and these portions are parallel or nearly parallel with the longitudinal direction of the sections 11. The median webs or ribs 29 extend all the way between the pairs of incisions 25 and are automatically moved out of the general plane of the respective section 11 when the upper die 17 completes its downward stroke. This is shown in FIG. 8 wherein the median webs 29 are bent to the right and the outer webs 30 are bent to the left of the general planes of the respective sections 11. Thus, the dies 14, 17 can bend all of the webs, namely, the median webs 29 and also the outer webs 30 even through it would be suflicient if the webs 29 were bent without any bending of the webs 30 or vice versa. When the stamping operation is completed, the median webs 29 are inserted into the spaces between the outer webs 30. The configuration of cutting and deforming portions on the dies 14 and 17 is preferably such that the distance between the deformed outer webs 30 is somewhat less than the width of the median webs 29, i.e., that such webs are not likely to move apart when the die 17 is withdrawn from the die 14. This insures that the webs 29, 30 form preliminary joints or connections 24 shown in FIG. 7.

The dies 14, 17 can be designed to form incisions and median and outer webs of the type disclosed in the afore mentioned Patent No. 3,235,924 to Timmerbeil. However, special configuration of cutting edges on the dies 14, 17 (aside from the formation of stepped incisions 25) is optional because it sufiices if the median webs 29 are inserted between the outer webs 30 with a force which suflices to insure that the thus treated overlapping portions of band iron sections 11 will remain coupled (preliminary joints 24) until the start of the interlacing or final connecting step. This final interlacing step is lacking in the aforementioned patent to Timmerbeil wherein the interlacing takes place in response to pressure furnished by a baled package, i.e., in response to the tendency of confined material to expand and to lengthen the bands which were applied therearound.

The interlacing means of my apparatus is best shown in FIGS. 3-5, and its purpose is to shift the sections 11 with reference to each other in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 9 so that the median web 29 of one section 11 is interlaced with the outer webs 30 of the other section 11 or vice versa. The sections will be moved in a direction to increase the overall length of the resulting strip or band 87.

The interlacing means comprises two mirror symmetrical gripping or clamping units 31 which are disposed at the opposite sides of the stamping station (see FIG. 1) and are mounted on a platform 32 forming part of the lower flange 15 of the holder 16. The platform 32 supports the lower die 14 between the gripping units 31. One of these gripping units engages the upper section 11 and the other gripping unit engages the lower section.

The right-hand gripping unit 31 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 3-5. It comprises a vertical mounting plate 33 which is rigid or integral with the platform 32 and has a bore 34 for a horizontal shaft 35. One end of the shaft 35 extends rearwardly beyond the mounting plate 33 and serves as a fulcrum for a two-armed motion transmitting lever 36. In order to increase the area of contact between the shaft 35 and lever 36, the latter is provided with a ring-shaped hub 37 which is preferably welded thereto and surrounds a portion of the shaft 35. A split ring 38 or the like is employed to prevent axial movement of the shaft 35 in a direction to the left, as viewed in FIG. 4. The split ring 38 also causes the lever 36 to bear against one side of the mounting plate 33.

The forwardly extending portion of the shaft 35 carries a first gripping jaw 39. The foremost portion of the shaft 35 extends into a bore 40 provided in link 41 which is mounted on the plate 33 in a manner as shown in FIG. 3 or 5. The purpose of the link 41 is to serve as a support for the shaft 35, and this link is connected with the shaft 35 by a radial screw 42. The latter prevents axial movement of the shaft 35 in a direction to the right, as viewed in FIG. 4. The link 41 cooperates with the mounting plate 33 to prevent axial movement of gripping jaw 39 on the shaft 35.

The jaw 39 has a downwardly extending motion receiving portion or arm 43 which is offset from the general plane of this jaw and extends into the space between the prongs 44, 45 of a bifurcated coupling element 46 provided on the piston rod 47 of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder 48. The cylinder 48 is pivotally connected to the mounting plate 33. The prongs 44, 45 of the coupling element 46 have registering bores 49, 50 for a coupling pin 51 which also extends through an elongated slot 52 in the arm 43 of the gripping jaw 39. Furthermore, the coupling pin 51 extends through a cutout 53 of the mounting plate 33 and into a bore 54 of the lever 36. Split rings 55 hold the coupling pin 51 against axial movement.

The gripping jaw 39 is further provided with an upwardly extending second arm 56 which is adjacent to the respective side of the mounting plate 33 and carries a pivot pin 57. The arm 56 has a bore 59 which receives a smaller-diameter stub 58 of the pin 57. The latter is secured to the arm 56 by a radial screw 60. The purpose of the pin 57 is to support a second gripping jaw 61 which is turnable about the axis of the pin 57. The leftmost portion 62 of the pin 57 extends beyond the jaw 61 and carries a washer 63 and a split ring 64. The upwardly extending portion or arm 65 of the jaw 61 has a bore 66 which receives a pivot pin 67 secured thereto by a radial screw 68. The upper arm 69 of the motion transmitting lever 36 is offset so that it extends above the mounting plate 33 and has a side face which abuts against the arm 65, A bore 70 of the arm 69 receives a portion of the pin 67 and the latter is held against axial movement by a split ring 71. This split ring 71 also insures that the arm 69 remains adjacent to the arm 65.

The downwardly extend portion or arm 72 of the second gripping jaw 61 cooperates with the jaw 39 to grip one of the sections 11 and to shift such section relative to the other section in order to interlace the webs 29 and 30. Such interlacing will be caused by the cylinder 48. It is preferred to provide the apparatus with a programmed control system which causes the cylinder 48 to perform a working stroke in response to completed operation of the stamping unit 13, i.e., after the dies 14, 17 complete the formation of incisions 26 and the bending of webs 29, 30. The arm 72 cooperates with an inclined shoulder 73 of the jaw 39. In order to avoid slippage of a section 11 with reference to the jaws 39 and 61, the shoulder 73 preferably carries a knurled or toothed plate 74 which is inserted into a cutout 76 of the shoulder 73 and is fixed therein by a screw 75. The other jaw 61 has a knurled, corrugated or toothed insert 77 which is preferably provide with external threads so that it can be readily introduced into or withdrawn from a tapped bore of the jaw 61. A radial screw 78 prevents uncontrolled separation of the insert 77.

The left-hand gripping unit 31 of the interlacing means (see FIG. 1) is a mirror symmetrical image of the unit 31 shown in FIGS. 3-5.

FIG. 5 shows the parts of the gripping unit 31 in one of their end positions. The jaws 39 and 61: are held apart so that the operator can insert a band iron section 11 into each unit 31 in such a way that the end portions of these sections overlap in the space between the dies 14, 17, that one of the sections 11 extends between the moved-apart jaws 39, 61 of the lefthand gripping unit 31 in FIG. 1, and that the other section 11 extends between the moved-apart jaws 39, 61 of the right-hand gripping unit 31. The cylinder 19 then causes the upper die 17 to move downwardly and to cooperate with the lower die 14 in order to provide the overlapping end portions of sections 11 with three pairs of incisions 25 in a manner as shown in FIG. 7 and to immediately deform the resulting webs 29, 30 in a manner as shown in FIG. 8 to form preliminary joints 24. The cylinder 19 thereupon withdraws the upper die 17 to the retracted position so that the overlapping end portions of the sections 11 are released.

In the next step, the control system of the apparatus 10 admits pressure medium to the cylinders 48. With reference to FIG. 5, the cylinder 48 causes the coupling element 46 to move the coupling pin 51 in a direction to the left and to rock the motion transmitting lever 36 in a clockwise direction whereby the upper arm 69 of the lever 36 rocks the upper jaw 61 through the intermediary of the pin 67 so that the jaw 61 turns on the pin 57 and moves its insert 77 toward the plate 74., i.e., the jaws 39, 61 grip the corresponding section 11. The gripping or clamping positions of the jaws 39, 61 are shown in FIG. 3. The cylinder 48 continues to move the coupling pin 51 so that the latter rocks the jaw 39 on the shaft 35 whereby the section 11 moves in a direction to the right, as viewed in FIG. 3, and causes its webs 29, 30 to move with reference to the webs of the other section 11. The webs are interlaced and form final joints 24 shown in FIGS, 6 and 9.

The cylinder 48 thereupon receives fluid medium to move the coupling element 46 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 3, and to rock the lever 36 and jaw 39 in a counterclockwise direction until the arm 57 reaches a stop 79 on the mounting plate 33, i.e., the jaw 39 then reassumes the position shown in FIG. 5. However, the slot 52 insures that the jaw 39 begins to pivot with a certain delay so that the section 11 is released before the paw 39 moves back to the position of FIG. 5.

Referring again to FIG. 2, there is shown an ejecting unit 80 which includes a pusher or rod 82 reciprocable in guides 81 carried by the holder 16 and having a head 83 which is adjacent to the gap between the dies 14, 17 and can expel the joined portions of sections 11 from the stamping unit 13. The rod 82 is reciprocable by a hydraulic actuating cylinder 84 which can move the rod through the intermediary of a motion transmitting lever 85. It is clear that the ejecting unit 80 can comprise two rods each located at one side of the stamping unit 13. Also, the apparatus 10 can be programmed in such a way that the cylinder 84 actuates the rod 82 in a sense to expel the joined sections 11 in automatic response to movement of the jaws 39 to their initial end positions (see FIG, 5).

FIG. 6 shows that the sections 11 can be trimmed so that, when connected by means of three joints 24, these sections together form a band 87 having a length necessary to form a strap around a package or the like. The free ends 86 of the resulting band 87 are then provided with incisions 88 and with median webs 89 and outer webs 90 so that the ends 86 can be coupled to each other substantially in a manner as described in connection iwith FIG. 8. However, the width of median webs 89 is preferably less than the width of gaps between the outer webs 90 so that the two ends 86 can be readily assembled by hand after the'band 87 including the two sections 11 is placed around a package of cotton, hay, straw or the like. The package is held in compressed condition and automatically interlaces the webs 89 with the webs 90 when it is permitted to expand. The width of gaps between the outer webs 90 is preferably such that the gaps can accommodate the median webs 89 even if the stamping operation which results in the formation of incisions 86 and in the bending of webs 89, 90 produces fins or burrs along the incisions.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fair- 1y constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of my contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. Apparatus for producing patchwork connections, especially for connecting used sections of band iron or the like wherein portions of such sections overlap and are provided with at least one pair of substantially longitudinally extending incisions to form median webs disposed between outer webs and wherein the median webs are located in a plane other than the plane of the outer webs so that, by lengthwise displacement of the overlapping portions, the median web of one portion is interlaced with the outer webs of the other portion, comprising stamping means including a pair of dies movable against the overlapping portions of two sections to provide such portions with incisions and to move the resulting median and outer webs into different planes; and two spaced apart interlacing means, each engaging one of said sections of band iron and positively displacing said sections lengthwise relative to and in a direction away from each other so as to interlace the median web of one section with the outer webs of the other section.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a frame and a holder carried by said frame and supporting said stamping means, said interlacing means comprising two gripping units carried by said frame and located at the opposite sides of said stamping means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said gripping units comprises a pair of jaws having cooperating portions movable between open and closed positions and also movable, in said closed positions thereof, toward and away from said stamping means, and means for moving said portions of said jaws.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein each of said gripping units further comprises mounting means carried by said holder and pivotally supporting the respective jaws.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said holder is pivotable with reference to said frame about a substantially horizontal axis.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, further comprising locking means for fixing said holder in selected positions with reference to said axis.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising ejecting means for expelling interlaced portions of said sections from said stamping means.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said dies are arranged to provide the overlapping portions of said sections with several pairs of longitudinally spaced incisions.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein one of said dies is stationary and the other die is movable toward and away from said one die.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said dies are arranged to move said median and said outer webs to the opposite sides of the general planes of the respective sections.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said interlacing means comprises two gripping units disposed mirror symmetrically with reference to said stamping means, at least one of said gripping units having jaws provided with gripping portions arranged to engage one of said sections and movable with the thus engaged section in a direction away from the other gripping unit.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said jaws are constituted by levers turnable about parallel pivot axes and said one gripping unit further comprises means for pivoting said levers about the respective axes.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein one of 'said jaws is pivotally mounted on the other jaw.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising fluid-actuated means for operating said stamping and interlacing means.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a frame and holder means carried by said frame and supporting said stamping and said interlacing means.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said interlacing means comprises a pair of gripping units each having a pair of jaws, the jaws of each gripping unit having roughened portions movable into clamping engagement with one of said sections and the roughened portions of at least one pair of jaws being movable away from the other gripping unit to thereby interlace the median and outer webs of said overlapping portions.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said interlacing means is operative in automatic response to opening of said stamping means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,042,843 6/1936 Harvey 93.6 2,324,609 7/ 1943 Watt et al. 14093.2 2,834,382 5/1958 Daniel 14093.6 2,907,356 10/1959 Miille l4093.6 3,241,579 3/1966 Partridge 140-93.2 3,319,666 5/1967 Langford et a1. 14093.2 3,329,178 7/1967 Plunkett 140-934 FOREIGN PATENTS 489,912 8/1938 Great Britain.

508,906 7/ 1939 Great Britain.

532,522 1/ 1941 Great Britain.

447,129 11/1914 France.

CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner E. M. COMBS, Assistant Examiner 

